Clean Fresh Air

Companies faced with keeping their business growing and motivating staff whilst resisting higher overheads will feel constrained in the current economic climate. Therefore, any suggestion made to add a perceived luxury such as air conditioning could be met with derision. In response to this, we would ask a simple question. When you think of air conditioning what comes to your mind first – cooling or heating? For most people the answer is usually cooling which for many years this was the only function. On the same topic another question (and useful for the pub quiz) is which system - if you had to choose today - will use the least energy and produce the lowest heating bills - Storage heaters, Gas Central Heating or Air Conditioning. Well the answer is Air Conditioning by a significant margin.

Different to both conventional gas heating and electric heating the air conditioning system uses a component called a heat pump. These devices are movers of heat energy – they upgrade naturally occurring low temperatures into useful high temperature heat, which is then passed to the area that needs heating inside the building. The reverse operation produces cooling in summer and since none of the other techniques offer cooling, this is seen as an additional cost which is of course optional.

Modern air conditioning systems are attractively designed and lower in cost than earlier models. By removing an outdated energy inefficient heating system and replacing this with an energy efficient air conditioning system the government offers tax preferences in the form of immediate capital write-offs. The savings made from lower energy costs will contribute to the capital expenditure, resulting in overall lower running costs, a pleasant all year round environment to work and do business. Air Conditioning Solutions (UK) Ltd will provide a free survey and quotation together with calculations for running costs. Telephone 01327 810510 for more details.

In the majority of applications, air conditioning systems for technology and server rooms can be designed using standard models of equipment that both heat and cool. The important factor being that the different requirements for server rooms is taken into account. However, for larger IT centres and mission critical server rooms then special cooling equipment designed specifically for server/technology rooms should be considered.

Bucket technology

While it is not suggested many companies have a server room anything like the one in the picture, showing two plastic buckets balanced above the computer system - to catch dripping water from the air conditioning unit. A poorly maintained atmosphere in the technology area will have a negative impact on data processing and storage operations. The results can range from data corruption to complete system shutdowns and failures. A high or low ambient temperature or rapid temperature swings can corrupt data processing and shut down an entire system.

Cooling demand for different environments

There is an important difference between the cooling specifications for a standard office based comfort cooling system and that required for a computer or technology based server room. In a server, room the heat is coming almost entirely from IT hardware, lights, support equipment, and motors. There is very little heat generated by people and usually limited outside air. In contrast, by sizing the air-cooling unit based on comfort cooling typical of a normal office environment, comprising of a room occupied mainly by people and a few PC’s. The unit will not perform correctly and with the probability of removing too much moisture, making the air dry, increasing the possibility of damage to equipment by static electricity. It is also important to have a fresh air supply available at the equipment inlet. If not, the equipment will obtain some of its air from other areas of the room, often resulting in dangerously high inlet temperatures. Temperature variations can alter the electrical and physical characteristics of electronic chips and other board components, causing faulty operation or failure. These problems may be transient or may last for days. Even transient problems can be very difficult to diagnose and repair.

Microgeneration technologies, such as heat pumps, make sense from both a sustainable and economic perspective and the government actively supports this technology. As part of the DTI’s new £50m capital grant scheme to boost the installation of heat pumps into Schools across England and Wales, they are offering financial incentives to schools in the form of grants. Some schools can also benefit from an interest free Carbon Trust loan to pay for the installation and maintenance of heating using air source heat pumps.

The Government’s commitment to rebuilding or refurbishing every secondary school in England over the next 10-15 years is providing a huge opportunity to change the way that renewable energy is used in public buildings. The BSF (Building Schools for the Future) programme involves the government devolving funds to LEA (Local Education Authorities) and schools for spending on maintaining and improving their buildings. Part of this requirement is a focus on the sustainability of schools, with schools being assessed for their environmental performance levels under the Government’s BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) standards.

The schools of the future should therefore have a more energy efficient construction, which are heated through more renewable sources and have lower operating costs. The low carbon buildings programme has made renewable energy sources such as heat pumps a really attractive and viable option, with the overall result being a reduction in Carbon Dioxide released into the atmosphere and that is to the benefit of all our futures.

There are definite advantages for schools that invest in renewable technologies. Schools help to set an example in the use of sustainable energy sources to the rest of society. As young people grow up being more aware of renewable energy systems, it means they will become more widely accepted as the norm, not only for public buildings but also for domestic use.

Heat pumps in Schools form a key component in the renewable approach to a balanced budget. Not only can they make a huge contribution to reducing carbon emissions, they can also cut payback periods by 35 to 40% through fuel savings.

Air-source electric heat pumps are year-round space-conditioning systems capable of providing heating; cooling, and some new models now provide domestic hot water. Their appeal lies both in that they offer heating and cooling in a single piece of equipment-which usually means a lower capital cost-and in that they provide heat at a lower cost than electric resistance heating, gas or oil. They can be used in most commercial applications and some industrial processes, particularly those that generate waste heat.

An air-source heat pump transfers energy between the outside air and either air or water inside a building. In cooling mode, it functions just like an air conditioner, moving heat from the inside of a building to the outside; in heating mode, the refrigerant flow is reversed so it takes low-temperature heat from the outside air and mechanically concentrates it to produce high-temperature heat, which is then delivered to a building. Because most of the heat is simply moved (pumped) from the outdoor air to the indoors, the amount of electricity required to deliver it is considerably less than would be required from electric resistance heat.

How could I use a heat pump?

A heat pump can be used where there is a low temperature source of heat. For example, heat can be transferred from a source at 5ºC and delivered as warm air at 40ºC.

Applications include space heating and cooling, pre-heating domestic hot water, heat recovery and dehumidification in both domestic and industrial sectors.

Does a heat pump use renewable energy?

Yes, the source is usually renewable energy from an ambient heat source or waste energy. For example, with a 3:1 performance ratio, for every three units of heat delivered, two units can be from the renewable heat source and one from the electrical power supply. A heat pump, operating on a ‘green electricity’ supply from an accredited renewable source, offers emissions-free heating and then three units of renewable energy would be delivered for every one unit of energy purchased as ‘green electricity’.

What are the different heat sources?

Ambient heat from water, air, or the ground; or waste heat from industrial processes or combined heat and power units are often used.

In air-source heat pumps, passing air at ambient temperature over a finned heat exchanger, thus heat is extracted into the evaporator of the heat pump. In a water source heat pump, river, lake or ground water is cooled as heat is extracted.

In the case of ground source heat pumps, the collector pipe is installed in one or more trenches or boreholes. A water/anti-freeze solution is pumped around this loop of plastic pipe, extracting heat from the ground.

The heat extracted from the ground or lake or river water is replaced by heat from the atmosphere.

What are the advantages of a heat pump system?

Energy Efficient: Heat pumps are very energy efficient as they consume a little energy (usually as electricity) in order to deliver three or four times as much energy as heat. The ratio of energy-out to energy-in depends on the operating conditions and typically varies between 2 to 1 and 5 to 1. The overall average is called the seasonal performance factor.

Environmental: Heat pumps access renewable or waste energy and so displace consumption of conventional fossil fuels (gas, oil, coal). As electricity generation technologies improve, the emissions performance from the combustion of fossil fuels and renewable electricity generating capacity increases, so the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity consumption are reducing - making heat pumps even more environmentally beneficial.

Physical: Different types of heat pumps have different benefits. Ground source heat pumps have -

• No visible external equipment

• No external fans

• Quiet running

• Very little risk of accidental damage

• Adaptable to many locations.

Economics of heating houses: The running costs of a heat pump are much less than a traditional gas boiler heating system, also LPG, oil and electricity. The initial capital cost is usually higher than other conventional heating systems. The ‘whole-life’ cost, combining the capital and running costs is favourable for heat pumps compared to fossil fuelled systems - and, especially, compared with other forms of electric heating.

Heat pump systems are used in commercial premises (offices, hotels, supermarkets) providing heating and cooling - and in some industrial processes and applications.

What about greenhouse gas emissions?

Heat pump systems consume energy in moving heat from one place to another. The principal use of energy in a heat pump is to generate the motive power to drive the compressor. The associated emissions depend on the power source driving the compressor. In the UK the heat pump will typically create around 55% of the greenhouse gas emissions from the most energy efficient domestic gas heating system (where the heat pump is providing space and domestic hot water heating).

Using natural warmth outside your building and heat stored in the earth, you can heat your office, factory or home in winter and provide cooling during the summer. The key to reducing carbon emissions from buildings is to use less fossil fuel and by utilizing a relatively new piece of technology called a heat pump, you can achieve significant cost savings. The heat pump is used to pull or withdraw renewable energy from the environment and amplifying the electrical energy. Heat pump systems such as those produced by Mitsubishi Electric, can be used in place of a convensional gas or oilfired boiler for producing hot water and cooling in the summer.

Lower Carbon Emissions

Most people now accept that reducing emissions of carbon dioxide is important, and one way is to ustilize this new technology and getting rid of the old systems. Heat pumps have a big future extracting heat from the residual air. A number of models ahve been approved by the government and listed qualify for the government’s Enhanced Capital Allowances. This is a taxable benefit to encourage the use of energy efficient equipment, allowing the costs of the equipment to be written off in the same year as it is purchased.

ACS UK Ltd will begin with a FREE survey to calculate your current energy needs for both heating and cooling. Present to you a detailed proposal together with an energy efficient solution. Contact you to make sure we fully understand your needs and if necessary hold further meetings and discussion to guarantee a satisfactory solution. You may only want to cool one specific area for computers or server room - any of your requirements are important to us and you will receive the same professional service at all times.

Almost 50% of the energy consumption in a non-domestic building is used for heating. By replacing gas/oil-fired central heating or electric heaters with a more energy efficient solution, you can expect to dramatically reduce your energy bills. (in some instances by as much as half.)

The return on investment is fast, after taking into account the alarming increase in energy bills (30% in one day during August 2008) and the energy efficient tax savingsavailable if you are a partnership or business, the capital investment can be quickly recovered. In the UK there is also government funding available for certain types of business in the form of interest free loans from the Carbon Trust

In order to find out how you can benefit financially by changing an existing heating system, you can phone 01327 810 510 to arrange a free survey carried out by an experienced engineer The survey is for assessing the heating requirement in the winter and cooling needs in summer, for an entire building, single office or consulting room.

Heat pumps have become the generic term for a wide range of systems that are used to extract heat from free air or conversely replace the warm air in a room with cool air. In order to understand how this all happens it will be worth spending a few minutes reading the FAQ below.

How could I use a heat pump?

A heat pump can be used where there is a low temperature source of heat. For example, heat can be transferred from a source at 5ºC and delivered as warm air at 40ºC.

Applications include space heating and cooling, pre-heating domestic hot water, heat recovery and dehumidification in both domestic and industrial sectors.

Does a heat pump use renewable energy?

Yes, the source is usually renewable energy from an ambient heat source or waste energy. For example, with a 3:1 performance ratio, for every three units of heat delivered, two units can be from the renewable heat source and one from the electrical power supply. A heat pump, operating on a ‘green electricity’ supply from an accredited renewable source, offers emissions-free heating and then three units of renewable energy would be delivered for every one unit of energy purchased as ‘green electricity’.

What are the different heat sources?

Ambient heat from water, air, or the ground; or waste heat from industrial processes or combined heat and power units are often used.

In air-source heat pumps, passing air at ambient temperature over a finned heat exchanger, thus heat is extracted into the evaporator of the heat pump. In a water source heat pump, river, lake or ground water is cooled as heat is extracted.

In the case of ground source heat pumps, the collector pipe is installed in one or more trenches or boreholes. A water/anti-freeze solution is pumped around this loop of plastic pipe, extracting heat from the ground.

The heat extracted from the ground or lake or river water is replaced by heat from the atmosphere.

What are the advantages of a heat pump system?

Energy Efficient: Heat pumps are very energy efficient as they consume a little energy (usually as electricity) in order to deliver three or four times as much energy as heat. The ratio of energy-out to energy-in depends on the operating conditions and typically varies between 2 to 1 and 5 to 1. The overall average is called the seasonal performance factor.

Environmental: Heat pumps access renewable or waste energy and so displace consumption of conventional fossil fuels (gas, oil, coal). As electricity generation technologies improve, the emissions performance from the combustion of fossil fuels and renewable electricity generating capacity increases, so the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity consumption are reducing - making heat pumps even more environmentally beneficial.

Physical: Different types of heat pumps have different benefits. Ground source heat pumps have -

• No visible external equipment

• No external fans

• Quiet running

• Very little risk of accidental damage

• Adaptable to many locations.

Economics of heating houses: The running costs of a heat pump are much less than a traditional gas boiler heating system, also LPG, oil and electricity. The initial capital cost is usually higher than other conventional heating systems. The ‘whole-life’ cost, combining the capital and running costs is favourable for heat pumps compared to fossil fuelled systems - and, especially, compared with other forms of electric heating.

Heat pump systems are used in commercial premises (offices, hotels, supermarkets) providing heating and cooling - and in some industrial processes and applications.

What about greenhouse gas emissions?

Heat pump systems consume energy in moving heat from one place to another. The principal use of energy in a heat pump is to generate the motive power to drive the compressor. The associated emissions depend on the power source driving the compressor. In the UK the heat pump will typically create around 55% of the greenhouse gas emissions from the most energy efficient domestic gas heating system (where the heat pump is providing space and domestic hot water heating).

Think air conditioning and we generally think cool yet modern air conditioning systems provide one of the cheapest forms of heating available.

Having invested in what is for many people important extra living space, its essential you create a room that is perfect for relaxing with friends and family regardless of the season. However, all too often, the weather dictates when you use your conservatory, which makes it underutilized all summer and winter. As with conventional heaters you need the right sized unit based upon the area that it has to heat and cool. Install one that is too large in capacity and you will be forever fiddling with the remote control to maintain the right temperature. Conversely, install one that is too small and you will remain cold in the winter and too hot at other times. Heating a conservatory in most parts of Great Britain is not such a problem but cooling can be. Calculating the right size unit that will maintain a comfortable temperature is trickier. For example, if you already have blinds in place this will reduce the amount of additional cooling necessary warranting a smaller unit costing less money.

Effectively cooling and heating the room – as economically as possible – makes sense in much the same way you heat and try to keep other parts of the house cool in high summer. A major handicap with conservatories is that they are designed to attract the sun and without air conditioning, the amount of solar gain can render the room unusable on all too many occasions. Air conditioning is the ideal solution for this problem - especially a unique range of air conditioning units suitable for conservatories.

Once you have made the decision to air condition, your conservatory the next task is finding a reputable installer. We’ve all watched BBC’s ‘Rough Traders’ so make sure you do a little bit of home work first before making a decision. As a minimum requirement, the installer should be a member of the Heating and Ventilation Contractors Association (www.hvca.org.uk)

You should not be required to pay for a detailed survey, necessary to estimate the correct size of air conditioning unit. Also, make sure you know the brand of equipment being specified. David Knibbs, Managing Director of Air Conditioning Solutions (UK) Ltd, recommends you stick with products manufactured by the top 5 companies in the UK air conditioning sector. These will include makes produced by Mitsubishi, Daikin, Sanyo, Toshiba and Fujitsu. “Your installer should at least be a recognised and approved business partner for one or more these major companies, as well as being a member of the HVCA and Refcom.”

So there, you have it. The right means to spending more time this summer and next winter enjoying the extra room in your home. Modern air conditioning equipment uses a device called a ‘Heat Pump’ that works by extracting the residual warmth that always exists in the air. This clean, carbon free technology reduces the cost of heating by as much as 40% compared to gas and electricity.

My system has a 3-year warranty - Why do I need a maintenance contract?

Air conditioning and building services systems require regular maintenance to ensure safety and optimum operational efficiency. Warranties are only applicable if the system or equipment is regularly maintained by an approved organisation.

To simply explain, relate this to a car which like air conditioning has many rotating and wearing parts, your warranty will not be honoured if you don’t have regular servicing (maintenance).

Do refrigerants harm the ozone layer?

Some do and others do not, however it is a very complex issue and needs more space than we have here. In principle all refrigerants handled by competent companies and technicians will never be released to the atmosphere so will not deplete the ozone layer. Because accidents happen, alternative refrigerants are being developed all the time, but it is important to note that refrigerants are not a major problem as many other contaminates cause global warming problems. Primary problems are caused by burning fossil fuels, e.g. petrol diesel, oil etc.

Can I catch legionella from my air conditioning?

It is highly unlikely, you are more likely to catch it from a shower head in a hotel room that has not been used for a long time. But, legionella can be caught from the aerosol spray of infected cooling towers of larger, older and poorly maintained air conditioning systems.

I have been told that air conditioning spreads viruses and bacteria - Does it?

No more than you do or any ventilation system does for airborne viruses and bacteria. Many people are susceptible to dryness sometimes caused when an air conditioning system is badly designed or maintained and the relative humidity is reduced too much. It’s a fact that basically coughs and sneezes spread diseases, but some people will blame anything for their ills rather than understand the facts.

Please explain the difference between air conditioning, comfort cooling and close control?

Air conditioning covers many things but is mainly, heating, cooling, ventilation, fresh air, filtration and control of humidity.

Comfort cooling mainly relates to provision of just cooling to improve comfort.

Close control air conditioning is really as the name implies, both temperature, humidity and air cleanliness are closely controlled and often to fine tolerances if necessary.

The fuse keeps blowing on my air conditioning - Why?

It could be that there is a problem with the compressor and you are advised to contact us for further assistance. It could also be that a fuse or circuit breaker has recently been replaced but the wrong replacement (smaller rating) has been fitted. Check, but only if you are qualified to work on electrical systems.

The air conditioning is running but is not cooling/heating?

Many reasons, the simplest being that you may have inadvertently set it to fan only operation. Unfortunately it may also indicate a serious fault, Check your operating instructions but if no luck, give our service department a call.

I have lost my operating instructions - Can I get another copy?

Quite possibly, contact those nice people at ACS and they may be able to send you copies or at least advise you how to proceed.

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is a machine that by reversing it’s refrigeration cycle can provide heating instead of cooling. Because a heat pump uses a refrigerant it can upgrade the heat in air at even -15ºC to a usable heat source to heat buildings. Difficult to understand perhaps but imagine a domestic fridge or freezer, reverse its cycle and that black grille on the back will be very cold whilst inside will be very hot.

Heat pumps can extract heat from air and water and are nearly always used to both heat and cool a building very efficiently and economically.

What is VRV or VRF?

VRV is a system developed and designed by Daikin Industries and means “variable refrigerant volume”. Daikin protected the term VRV so other manufacturers use the term VRF “variable refrigerant flow”. In principle they both work the same and are extremely efficient, reliable, energy saving ways to heat and cool all types of buildings with minimum installation time or disruption.

The volume or flow rate of refrigerant is accurately matched to the required heating or cooling loads thereby saving energy and providing more accurate control.

In short, they are probably the best systems currently available for mid to large applications.

What does an inverter do?

An electrical inverter is used to vary the frequency of the power supply from a normal UK 50Hz enabling fine step speed control of motors (compressors) this in turn varies the quantity of refrigerant delivered and hence variable cooling or heating capacity.

My air conditioning is not working - What can I do?

One of the most common causes of failure is that some one has switched off the power supply. So check that fuses circuit breakers and isolators are all OK and working.

Another common cause is blocked air filters, so check they are clean and are regularly kept clean. It helps to refer to the manufacturers operating instructions as well.

If all else fails and you are still having a problem, contact our service department.

What is COP?

Coefficient of Performance, which is the ratio between the power input and power output. For example a modern heat pump will provide 3.5kw of heat for 1kw of electrical power input. Therefore the COP is expressed as 3.5 - 1.

What is EER?

Energy efficiency ratio is used to express the relative efficiency of a heating or cooling device by dividing the heat output by the power input. The higher the ratio compared to others, the better the system is.

What is Energy Labelling?

Energy labelling is a new way of allowing consumers to easily compare and rate the efficiency of air conditioners and systems, similar to that used for domestic appliances such as fridge’s and washing machines etc.

The air conditioning is running but the airflow is much lower than I remember?

Have you cleaned your air filter? - The most important user maintenance is to keep those air filters clean.

FOR SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE CALL 01327 810510

As the world moves towards a low carbon economy the practices in western society of using gas and oil-fired boilers/furnaces for heating and air conditioning for cooling, is no longer sustainable in the longer term. Using low-carbon technologies and increasing the use of renewable energy to deliver targets for reducing carbon dioxide is what the future holds for people all over the planet. Its now clear that if governments are to be supported in meeting targets for CO₂ reduction then we all have to accelerate change in ‘heating’ and address ‘cooling’ in a responsible manner.

A relatively new device called a heat pump will become an integral part of any plan to reduce harmful gasses released into the atmosphere made possible by transferring heat energy from one environment to another. In cooling mode, air-conditioning works by using a refrigerant gas in an enclosed system. The heat pump technology transfers the heat absorbed by the gas in the enclosed area (room, industrial process) to the outside air, resulting in a cooling of the area in question. Then at the flick of a switch, the system can be reversed extracting heat from the outside air and bringing it indoors allowing rooms to be heated.

Movers of heat energy

Heat pumps have an important advantage in the area of efficiency. Unlike fossil fuel based heating systems, heat pumps extract available heat from the outside air producing gains in efficiency of approximately 3:1 and higher compared to electrical heating. Thus for every unit of energy consumed by the heat pump, three or more units of heat are gained. Heat pumps as movers of heat energy upgrade naturally occurring low temperature heat into useful high temperature heat (and vice versa) to provide cooling. This technology is already well known in the air conditioning market and used throughout the world. In Sweden and Switzerland who were early adopters heat pumps are used as a primary source for heating and producing hot water. Heat pump technology is very flexible, with excellent energy efficiency and CO2 reduction potential. When it comes to cooling building environments ‘free cooling and heat recovery’ strategies are of significant importance. The use of fresh air and natural ventilation when combined with an air conditioning system reduces energy consumption. Re-use of the warm air being expelled from a building to provide heat back into the building is better than warming-up the outside.

Warehouse and factory spaces can get unbearably hot in the summer and seemingly impossible to cool. By necessity in most industrial/production areas, doors and window are constantly opening and closing negating the benefits of a refrigerant based air conditioning system, the type more commonly used in shops, offices and in the public sector.

One alternative to conventional refrigerant based air conditioning, which may not always be suitable for large open spaces. Is to you use an evaporative process based upon an evaporative heat exchanging which takes advantage of the principles of latent heat of evaporation where tremendous heat is exchanged when water evaporates. By making use of this free latent energy in the atmosphere a cooling duty can be achieved that is quite comparable to refrigerant based systems whist consuming far less energy.

Evaporative cooling allows cool fresh air to circulate throughout a building forcing the stale hot air to be displaced. This principal of using air change as part of balanced ventilation system that in many climates will work for many days each year using the outside air to cool buildings; only on the hottest days does the cooling system kick in to cool the air before it is brought inside.

These principals have been in use for a very long-time and are tried and tested.

To produce the cooling water is piped to a unit placed outside on the roof of a building or fastened to an outside wall. The unit houses a large high-powered fan and as the warm air passes through special soaker-pads the heat exchange takes place as the water evaporates causing the temperature to drop by between 8 and 10 degrees centigrade.

A series of ducts channels the cool air efficiently to where its need either cooling the whole building or designated areas. Despite their heritage, the modern systems usually meet with the approval of regulators regarding energy consumption, and health requirements concerning water based systems.

With millions of evaporative coolers installed, worldwide this can be a quick and relatively low cost way of cooling down factory space, printing works and warehouses. They have been particularly successful in print works and for producing the right atmosphere in nurseries, garden centres and even bakeries. Installation is usually quick with minimal disruption and the resulting fresh cool air naturally relieves tiredness leading to less risk of accidents and a more enthusiastic workforce.

No longer considered just a luxury, already a standard feature in many new cars air conditioning is being installed to heat and cool shops, commercial premises and frequently in private homes. With the introduction of new technology, climate management is a cost effective tool and perhaps the way forward for reducing carbon emissions. By replacing older gas and oil-fired systems with energy efficient inverter based units, less energy is used and considerable sums of money saved.

One problem is a perception that air conditioning is bad for the environment. This is outdated and based upon the older cool only systems no longer sold in the UK. Even local planning chiefs are aware that far from harming the environment air conditioning using inverter technology for heating can be a benefit, reducing waste and avoiding the need to buy portable systems and fans that simply move hot humid air around the room. The new inverter based systems can be 40% more energy efficient than earlier models sold even 5 years ago. Approved by a division of the government agency DEFRA, for its energy efficiency each installation qualifies for a special tax benefit while domestic installations are VAT rated at only 5% on the grounds of the environmentally friendly nature of these new heating and cooling systems.

The benefits of managing the environment where people are shopping and working are self-evident. The government are being pressed by some trade unions to adopt recommendations made by the WHO for a maximum temperature limit in the workplace of 24 degrees centigrade. Reports of lower absenteeism by staff and pupils in schools and offices show that keeping the building temperature to a comfortable level is a win-win solution in terms of energy management and productivity. Most summers air conditioning installers struggle to meet demand from customers who left the decision until it was too late, missing the benefits at the height of record temperatures and denied cheaper heating during the winter. It will be interesting to see if lesson are learned next winter and businesses plan their climate management for 2009.